June/July Deadline

First, this is by far the best site I have found in the last year. I have been reading about so much here that I finally have calmed down after all the shock of researching a laptop. To all the members that lead this site your mind: THANK YOU!!!!!

Ok so here is my first question. For the past couple of weeks or so, I keep reading about all the rumors of what is coming out next for Apple. I am in the market for a laptop and am looking at the MacBook Pro. My friend got one before he left for college a year ago and he swears by it. So the more I visit the apple store the more I love it. I was able to test the heat generated off the two 15" models and found that the 2.16Gz feels cooler than the 2.33Gz. Has any discovered the same??

Second: I guess when you look at an Apple, you automatically become a rumor magnet. SOOOO many things are being "thrown out there" that I don't know what is fact or crap?!? So if I plan to wait to the end of June-Mid July to buy an Apple what will be out there?? I already know Leopard will be ready by then, and possibly the new intel chips (santa rosa?). Anything else guys?

I am a longtime Dell user, and I think the hardest thing will be to learn a new operating system and get familar with some new programs. But I like to try new stuff, and I have heard some good things about Apple soo.....

I know I should be looking around but the apples look soo darn good. But I want to make sure it will work for me. Remeber what happened to the last guy tempted by an Apple???


Thanks a lot,

Dan

 

If you search around you'll find plenty of rumors. June/July is likely to be a great time to buy, but nothing is certain except that updates will probably arrive on a tuesday. Santa Rosa will be released in May tentatively, but that doesn't mean apple will have it immediately. By June/July it's possible they will. Brighter LED screens are a rumor we hope will arrive, just as is DX10 gpu's. Apple also needs to update many of it's other product lines, so there is an off chance they may wait longer for the MBP. Mac Pro and Mac Mini are in the most need ATM. we shall see.

One thing is for sure though. Leopard will definitely be out since it's already been announced by Apple to arrive in Spring 2007.

IF you bought now it wouldn't be a mistake. Current Macbook Pros will run Leopard in full 64bit mode and won't be obsolete in the coming 4 months. Newer laptops may have all of these rumored improvements, or may not.

 

If you can wait, do so. Computers are constantly getting better, faster, and cheaper.

 

Actually, this summer would really be THE perfect time to buy.

- The Macbook Pros usually have a ~6 month life cycle, and the current line has been out for just about 4 months.
- Leopard should be out by May/June, and there's no point in not waiting for it.
- Santa Rosa will be out by May, and Apple will most likely use the new 800MHz processors.
- DX10 chipsets (by nVidia, at least) will debut in June, so Apple may upgrade their video chipsets.

 

Wow. Thanks for all the information. That sounds soo cool. Do you think the design will change or will they even come out with a new design (MacBook 2 or something like that)??

But now it is the wait until June....AHHH the anticipation.

Dan

 

Lol.

I'm on the same boat. July is probably when I'm gonna strike. I also have a feeling that Apple are gonna do something about the case all together. The MBP has the same case (almost) as the older powerbook.

 

This is PURE speculation on my part BUT...Apple recently updated their ipod line with color...The enclosures are aluminum. If I were them..I'd offer the option in the MBP line in the future. I'd drool for an Orange MBP. Even a $200 premium would be worth it IMO. But..it's just speculation and a dream

 

Well I think they're going to start with the macbook pro...I mean the macbook pro 15" was the first apple computer to move to intel chips...(from powerbook G4 15")

 

I think there's a chance that the design of the products will be refreshed, because the current design (other than the MacBook) is based on the PowerPC equivalent (Powerbook, iMac, PowerMac G5), so its about time for Apple to change the design of their products.

I think around June is the best time to purchase a new Mac, because there is a big chance Apple will do a major refresh of its lineup with Intel Centrino Pro (Santa Rosa), Mac OS X Leopard and probably new designs of its products.

 

I can't see why Apple would change the design on the MBP, it's considered a classic of industrial design. It would be like Porsche putting fins on the 911.

The Macbook isn't that big a redesign either, when compared to the iBook.

 

I know, I like the MacBook Pro's design too, but Apple can't keep the same design for years and years, even though the original is good. People loved the first generation iPod Nano, but Apple had to change the design in order to 'refresh' the line, and people love the first and second generation iPod Nano's design.

Yeah, the MacBook isn't a complete redesign, but compared to Powerbook G4 Aluminum to MacBook Pro, from iMac G5 to iMac Core Duo, from PowerMac G5 to Mac Pro, the MacBook has more differences than the iBook in terms of the design.

 

Here's an idea: Apple should offer the macbook pro line in different colors...wouldn't that be cool?

 

Hehe, MacBook Pro Product (Red)

 

I'd love if they redid the Macbook Pro in the matte black style of the Blackbook.

 

As others have said, you are going to be buying at the right time. Be careful with rumors though. You will get wrapped up in them and then they wil start to drive you nuts.

 

Too late for that.

Well thanks everyone. I could wait to buy as late as August and I know You should try to wait for as long as you can but... I have never owned or spent time operating any Apple product. I want the time to get used to something new. I am afraid that if I wait too long and school starts I will be left with a 7 pound paper weight I can't use. It is a relief that my deadline might just coinside with a refresh.

CANT WAIT!!

DaN

 

I ordered a macbook which should be today or tomorrow. I was thinking of waiting for the NEW stuff to come out. But the way technology changes it doesn't really matter. What I ordered is fast enough for me right now and I will be happy with that.

 

Besides Santa Rosa and Leopard, we don't really have any idea what other updates they will have. I doubt we'll see a DX10 card as those probably won't fit the form factor. They'll run too hot (remember, they are the HIGH end cards) and the current chassis won't be able to ventilate that amount of heat. Just an educated guess there...
We'll probably see an uprgaded video card, but I'm not sure what to.

Geh... an Orange MBP?!? No way! The brushed aluminum is perfect. :-D
Now.. the MB I could see in colors.

We may end up also seeing hybrid drives then (as an expensive uprgade) and possibly either HD or Blu-Ray players (hopefully HD).
I'm hoping they'll have a way to switch off the video card or finally come out with the 15" MB.

 

aww come on..orange would RULE!.. the MB should be easy to color since they've already made them black and white. I guess that would be cool.. but only if they offer ORANGE...heh.. j/k maybe i'll just krylon mine

 

Hah! No... better idea!

Changable covers!